Pinball game



Aug. 18, 1936. M. N. TIGERMAN P I NBALL GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1935 jo u 'arman' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 failli-.rf e

PINBALL GAME M. N. TIGERMAN Filed April 26, 1955 Aug. 18, 1936.

Allg- 18, 1936. M. N. TIGERMAN 2,051,229

P I NBALL GAME Filed April 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mlllllllf Patented Aug. I8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PINBALL GALIE Application April 26. 1935, Serial No. 18,421

3 Claims.

'Ihe invention relates to ball rolling games in which projected balls roll over a play board, the board being provided with holes to trap the balls. Games of this type are generally known as pin ball games. In the present game each ball receiving hole having a scoring value has associated therewith a switch so that the trapped balls serve to close circuits leading to lamps arranged on a score board, or the like.

More particularly, then, the game is of the socalled light-up type, and especially one in which the score indicating lights advance progressively as the balls lodge in scoring positions.

An expedient Way of depicting the progressive light score indicating invention is in connection with a baseball game, for example, where runners must advance around the bases of a diamond and the score total in runs must beincreased as scoring plays take place. For thatreason a structure simulating the play of a baseball game will be disclosed, although it is to be understood the progressive lighting may be utilized in other types of games, such for instance, as a race horse game in which the progressive lighting would indicate the advancing position of a simulated horse in the progress of a race.

Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to provide an improved game of the pin ball type having a novel progressive scoring arrangement utilizing lights.

Another object is to provide in such combination an improved form of ball controlled selector switch to regulate the progressive lighting.

Still another object is to provide an improved baseball game in which the play action and scoring are indicated by lights.

It is also an object to provide an improved circuit control mechanism for a. progressive light up .pin ball game.

Other important objects will be apparent to those skilled in this art as the disclosure is more fully made.

'Ihese pin ball games comprise a cabinet includinga play board inclined slightly from the horizontal so that balls projected to the upper end thereof may gravitate down the board to drop into and through-holes formed therein. In the present form of the gaine some of these holes represent hit holes and include switches thereunder which are normally open. When a ball drops into a hit hole the switch therebelow is closed to close a circuit leading to an electromagnetic device such as a solenoid to energize same. 'I'he balls as they fall through the hit holes land on an under panel and are guided to roll through a passage having a series of normally open switches therein. 'Ihere are four switches in this passage corresponding to the four bases of a baseball diamond, the representation of which appears on a vertical extension at the rear 5 end of the cabinet. Each of these four switches on the under panel in said passage are for closing circuits leading to lights respectively located at the bases in the diamond representation. In the control passage mentioned are gates normall0 ly in a down position to prevent balls from rolling therethrough. When a ball drops through a hit hole 'it rolls over and closes a switch to energize the solenoid mentioned, which raises the gate. In this fashion a ball may roll progressively through the control passage and over the switches as hits are made to advance the lights around the diamond. When a ball has progressed in this fashion through the control passage the nal switch closes a circuit to a progressive switch to close circuits to score runs by light indicators arranged in line on said cabinet extension adjacent the diamond.

Other holes are provided in the play board to take balls out of play. The balls that scored hits accumulate in a tiltable tray so that they cannot be played more than once. By means of a coin released slide and a movable member under the board all balls, at the termination of play, may be released to enable another playing of the game, said member serving to control resetting of the selector switch and open all score and play indicating circuits to turn oif the indicating lights.

In the accompanying drawings showing one practicable embodiment of the inventori:

Figure 1 is a" general plan view of the game;

Figure 2 is another plan view of the game with the top game board removed;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the vertical score and play indicating board extension at the rear end of the cabinet;

Figure 4 is a detail, longitudinal, sectional view. on a reduced scale. taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, to illustrate the ball lifter;

Figure 5 is a central, longitudinal, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the game, taken along the line 5 5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

#Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a wiring diagram for the lights on the diamond and score indicating strip;

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram, showing the light circuits and switches controlling the same;

Figure 8 is another wiring diagram, showing the solenoid circuit for regulating progression of balls through the control passage; and.

Figure 9 is another wiring diagram showing the resetting switch for restoring parts to game play starting position.

As shown in Figures l, 2 and 5 the game is enclosed in a cabinet I0, having a front wall II, a door I2, and a glass panel top I3. A game board I4 is mounted in the cabinet, the nsame being sloped slightly from the horizontal, with its lower end being disposed adjacent the front wall II. A marginal plate I5 provides an oval ball guide edge I6, and a wall I1 provides a ball projection passage I8 along the right hand side of the board I4, as shown. The front wall II carries the usual spring pressed plunger I9 for projecting balls, one at a time, through the passage I8, and along vthe upper edge I6. to a spring rebound element 20, as is usual in these gaines.

The upper end of the board I4 is formed with hit holes 2I and 22; a home run hole 23, and a pair of sacrifice holes 24. Also there are three out holes 25. Other holes 26 may also be provided to take balls received thereby out of play,

there being a panel 21 shiftably mounted, in any appropriate manner, under thesev holes 26 to support balls entering these holes, so that they cannot fall through the board I4, in a manner well understood in this art. At the lower end of the board I4 is formed a spent ball pocket 28 under which an extension of the panel 21 is normally disposed. Thus, balls missing the holes on the board I4 gravitate to said pocket 28 to be temporarily held therein in an obvious manner.

This panel 21 carries a forwardly extending link 29 connected to the inner end of a conventional coin released slide 30 mounted, as shown, in the front wall II of the cabinet. The panel 21 is normally held in a forward position by a spring 3l. Said panel is formed with a ball release hole 32 for some of the holes 26 in the board I4.

Obviously now, when the slide 30 is pushed rearwardly the link 29 pushes the slide panel 21 to cause release through holes 32 of balls lodged in the holes 26 in the board I4. As the rear edge of the plate 21 pulls out from under the pocket 26 any balls therein will also be released to drop through the board I4. A stationary ball routing panel 33 is carried in the cabinet below the board I4 and plate 21. Balls released from the holes 26 by said plate 21 fall onto the board or panel 33, and as the latter is forwardly inclined, these balls are directed into a transversely disposed trough 34. Balls from the pocket 28 fall onto an inclined guide plate 35 and are also directed to said trough 34.

As shown in Figure 4 this trough 34 is inclined toward the right hand wall of the cabinet I0, said wall having formed therein, an arcuate groove 36 into which the balls gravitate from the trough 34 in a well known manner. Adjacent the groove 36 said wall carries a pivoted ball lifter 31 operable by a manually actuated plunger 38 mounted in the front wall II of the cabinet.' The lifter 31 when operated picks up a ball at the lower end of the groove 36 and elevates it therealong into the passage I8. Such balls so elevated then gravitate into a position against a stop 39 where they are in position to be projected onto the board I4, for play, by the shooter I9.

Looking at Figures 3 and 5 it will be seen that the cabinet I has a vertical rear wall 40 which extends upwardly to form a back board projecting above the top of the cabinet in the manner shown. This board 40 carries a top plate 4I to form a compartment closed at its front side by an opaque glass panel 42 having painted or otherwise formed thereon the representation of a baseball diamond including at the corners thereof, translucent spots to delineate first base 43, second base 44, third base 45, and home plate 46. Behind each base spot the board 40 carries respective lights numbered, 43 44' 45 and 46'. (See also Figure '1.)

Above these lights is a plate 41 forming a transverse compartment above the diamond in which compartment the wall 40 carries ten lights 48, each arranged in its own box, provided by partitions 49 as shown in Figure 3. The front of this compartment is closed by the opaque glass 42 and is numbered with translucent numerals in order from left to right, reading I to I0 inclusive. This structure represents run totals. the lights 48 progressing from left to right as the runs are scored in a manner later to appear.

-The under panel 33 carries a normally open spring switch 50 to receive and be closed by a ball dropping through the hit hole 2l. A similar switch I is closed by balls dropping through hit" hole 22; a switch 52 is closed by a ball dropping through the hole 23. Balls closing the switches 56, 5I are guided by rails 53 to roll over another switch 54.

From here the balls enter a progression passage delineated by parallel spaced rails 55. Between the inner rail 55 and a rail 56 is a passage to receive balls rolling over the switch 52, said balls then rolling to close switches 51, 58 in said passage. The outer rail 55 and the rail 56 at their lower ends are brought closer together to direct balls from these two passages to roll over a switch 59. Rails 60 form a passage to receive balls entering the left hand sacrifice hole 24, there being a. normally open spring switch 6I in said passage. Similarly, a rail 62 forms a passage to receive balls entering the right hand sacrifice hole 24, there being a normally open spring switch 63 in said passage.

These sacrifice balls after they roll over and close the respective switches 6I, 63 leave their.

respective passages and roll ove'r the board 33 to the lower end thereof to be received by a transverse tiltably mounted tray 64, the ends of which include trunnions 65 for rockably mounting the same in the side walls of the cabinet, as appears in Figures 2 and 5. A spring 66 connected between the adjacent side wall of the cabinet and an upstanding lever 61 formed at the left hand end of the tray, serves to hold said tray in a normal ball receiving position. An extension boss (see Figure 2) on the inner end of the slide 30 is adapted to engage this lever 61, when the game is released for play, to tilt the tray forwardly about its trunnion mounting, to discharge the balls therefrom by gravity, said balls, in an obvious manner, thereupon gravitatng into the ball delivery trough 34. Balls dropping through the .out" holes 25 also roll over the board 33 to said tiltable tray 64 to be taken out of pl-ay. Guides 68 may be mounted on the board 33 to guide balls dropping through the hit and sacrice holes.

A battery 69 is mounted on the iioor I2 in any appropriate place to serve as a source of electric energy. A main wire 10 leads from the battery, as shown in Figure 1 to connect with one terminal of each of the lamps 48. From the respective lamps, respectively, in order, lead circuit wires, I, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6, 1a, 8, 9xi and IP; leading respectively to ten contacts on an insulated plate 1I appropriately carried on a,

bracket 12 as shown. Operatively associated with the ten contacts on said switch plate 1| is a turnable switch lever 13, made of conductor material. and turnable with a shaft 14 journaled in the plate 1|. Y

'I'his shaft carries fast thereon, a ratchet wheel 15, there being a coil spring 16 locked between the bracket and shaft, sopthat as the ratchet wheel turns step by step, the spring is energized. A brush 11 carried by the plate 1| connects the switch arm 13 electrically with a wire 18 leading to the switch 59. The plate 1| also carries an electromagnet 19 with which is operatively associated a pivoted armature 80 formed as a pawl to directly engage the ratchet wheel 15 to move it every time the magnet is energized. A back lash preventing dog 8| is provided as a pivoted bell crank lever mounted on the plate 1I, as shown in Figure 5, said lever being held normally to duty against the ratchet wheel 15, by a spring 82.

A second electro-magnet 83 is provided, the same having an armature 84 to release said dog 8|. This magnet 83 is in a circuit 85 (see Figure 9) with the battery and a normally open switch 86, said switch being closed by a boss 81 on the shiftable plate 21 (see Figure 1) when the latter is moved rearwardly by the coin released slide 30. This energizes the magnet 83 to move the armature 84 to free the dog 8| from the ratchet wheel 15, whereupon the spring 16 is freed to drive the ratchet Wheel reversely with the switch arm 13 to its initial starting position to the left side of the first contact on the plate 1|.

The switch l59, which is the run scoring and indicating switch, cooperates with apair of contacts, as shown in Figure '7, from one of which is led a wire 88 that is connected with the battery 69 to complete the run scoring light circuit. From the other contact for the switch 59 there is led a wire 89 that connects with the lamp 46' at the home plate position on the diamond. A wire 90 leads from said switch 59 back to the wire 88 as shown in Figure 7, said Wire being tapped by short leads respectively to switches 9|, 92 and 93, said switches being o! the normally open spring type, and being mounted on the board 33 as appears in Figure 2. The open ends of these three switches lie in spaced relation across a control passage formed between the rails 55.

A U-shaped gate 94 is pivotally mounted at 85 on the board 33, said gate carrying three gate obstacles 96, 91 and 98 in spaced relation, as shown in Figure 2, which obstacles normally are positioned to obstruct passage of balls down the said control passage between the rails 55.

Looking now to Figure 'l the switches 9| 92 and 93 when closed respectively connect with wires 9|*l leading to the first base lamp 43'; 92* leading to the second base lamp 44'; and a wire 93' leading to the third base lamp 45'. A common wire 99 connects these four base lamps 43', 44', 45' and 46' in parallel, and a lead taps the wire 99 into the main line 10, as shown. This completesl the description of the lamp circuits.

A solenoid |0| having a core |02 is mounted on the under side oi the board I4, the core being of that type which in this instance will be pushed upwardly when the solenoid is energized. The core |02 is positioned to engage under one leg of the U-shaped gate 94 as shown in Figure 2, whereby to raise the same with its obstacles- 96, 91 and 98 to allow balls in the control passage .to progress toward the run scoring switch 59.

As shown in Figure 8 this solenoid is in a circuit wire |03 leading from the battery to the contact for "hit" switch 50, said switch in turn being tapped into a wire |04 leading back to the battery. Each of the switches 5|, 52, 64, 51, 58, 6| and 63 is tapped into this wire 04; while the respective contacts tor said switch arms are tapped into the wire |03. Obviously each of the switches shown in Figure 8 when closed will complete a circuit 1 structure and the u se and operation thereof will next be given.

In starting the play cycle, it is to be understood that a certain number of balls, such as ten, are sealed in the cabinet. These balls will be located in the holes 26, pocket 28, or in the tray 64. By

coin releasing the slide and pushing the same intothe cabinet. the plate 21 is moved to register the holes 32 with the holes 26 so that balls therein will drop through onto the board 33. Balls from the pocket 28 also drop onto the board 33. At 30 the same time the boss on the slide 30 engages the lever 61 to tilt the tray 64 to drop the balls therefrom. Consequently all ten balls roll into the trough 34. Movement of the plate 21 also momentarily closed the switch 86 to close the circuit 85 oi Figure 9, thereby energizing the ratchet release electro-magnet 83 to allow the spring 16 to return i the switch arm 13 to its initial starting position on the plate 1|, to the left of and to one side of the circuit with lamp wire IS. When the slide 30 is retracted the springs 3|, 6 6 restore the plate 21 and tray 64 to normal position, as shown in Figure 5.

By means of the lifter 31 the balls may now be elevated one at a time in the conventional manner into ball projection position against the stop 39. By means of the shooter the balls can now be projected onto the top end of the board |4 to roll theredown toward the holes therein. Balls lodging in holes 26, and pocket 28, remain supported by the plate 21 and are thus taken out of play. Balls dropping through the out holes 25 roll down the board 33 and collect in the tray 64 also to be taken out of play.

If a ball drops into the hit hole 2| it is guided over the switches 50, 54 and comes to rest against the iirst obstacle 98 in the control passage. Of course, the solenoid |0| was twice energized, and the gate 94 raised and dropped twice in accordance, but nothing happened as no previously played balls had yet entered the passage. By the time this ball reaches the obstacle 98 the gate 94 is down again and said ball therefore comes to rest on the switch 9| to close the same. This closes the circuit 88, 90, 9|', and |00 to light lamp 43 at rst base on the diamond to indicate a hit has been made and that the runner is now on rst base.

Let us assume now that another ball falls through a sacrifice hole 24. This ball is guided on the board 33 to close either the switch 6| or 63v and then rolls into the tray 64 to be taken out of play. If the switch 6 was closed the solenoid 0| wasmomentarily energized to raise the gate 94 so that the ball in the control passage progresses from obstacle 98 to a position on switch 92 and against the obstacle 91. Thus the circuit 99, 92* has been closed to light the lamp 44' at second base, and the rst base lamp 43' circuit has been opened. The runner is now indicated to be on second base.

If the next played ball lodges in hit hole 22 the dropping ball rolls down the board 33 over switches 5I and 54 before lodging against the obstacle 98. Closing of the ilrst switch 5l energized the solenoid IUI to raise the gate 94 so that the ball lodged against the obstacle 91 progresses to a position against the last obstacle 96 and on switch 93 to close same and light the lamp 45 to indicate the runner is on third base. As the same ball rolled over switch 54 the solenoid once more raised the gate 94 so that the ball against the obstacle 96 is now freed to roll over the run scoring switch 59. Closing of the switch 59 through wire 89 momentarily lights the lamp 46 to indicate the runner has crossed home plate and scored. Also the circuit to the magnet 19 has been closed through wire 18 and switch arm 13 by means of the brush 11, to cause the armature 80 to move the switch arm 13 from its initial starting non-score indicating position onto the rst contact on the plate 1I to close the circuit l* to the first lamp 48. Thus the score number I is lighted and displayed to indicate one run has.

been scored. The instant the scoring ball rolls off the switch 59 the same opens to deenergize the magnet and stop the switch arm, the ball then rolling into the tray 64 to be taken out of play. The last projected ball that initiated this action is now lodged against the obstacle 98 on the switch 9| which turns on the lamp 43' to show a runner is on rst base.

Let us assume the last, or tenth' ball to be projected enters the home run hole 23. This ball rolls over the switches 52, 51 :and 58. Each switch as it closes in order energizes the solenoid to raise the gate 94 so that the ball held against obstacle 98 in the first base position progresses over the light switches 9|, 92 and 93, to light up the lights around the diamond to hindicate the runner running around the diamond. Finally the ball leaves the control passage and rolls over the switch 59 which momentarily lights lamp 46' at home plate and also energizes the magnet 19 to cause the switch arm 13 to lodge on thesecond contact to close the circuit 2a leading to the lamp 48 for score numeral 2. The home run hit ball, which was the last ball projected, rolls over the switches 52, 51 and 58 in its path as above described and then rolls over the score and home plate light switch 59 to energize the magnet 19 again to cause the arm 13 to advance to the third contact to close the third circuit 3 to light run score numeral 3 in a manner that will now be readily understood. As'all ten balls have now been played the game ends' with a three run score total being displayed. Replay of the game is accomplished in thc manner heretofore described.

It can now be seen that an improved progressive play indicating and score totaling light up game structure has been provided, which is simple and foolproof in operation and which achieves all of the desirable objects heretofore recited.

It is the intention to cover all such changes and modications as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ball rolling game embodying a play board inclined from the horizontal and being formed with holes through which balls projected over the board may drop, a sloped panel below the board to receive balls therefrom, certain of the balls entering a control passage on the panel including a series of normally open light switches respectively in circuit with a series of play indicating lights, a movably mounted control gate embodying a number of spaced obstacles normally preventing rolling movement of balls through said passage and to hold the balls therein in light switch closing position, an electro-magnetic device to move the gate to free the balls for pro# gression step by step between the obstacles and through the passage, and other normally open switches on the panel operable by balls to cause energization of the device to move the gate whereby to progress the balls over said light switches to progressively light the lights.

2. In a ball rolling game embodying a play board inclined from the horizontal and being formed with holes through which balls projected over the board may drop, a sloped panel below the board to receive balls therefrom, a control passage for the balls on the panel including a series of normally open light switches respectively in circuit with a series of play indicating lights. a movably mounted control gate embodying a number of spaced obstacles normally preventing rolling movement of balls through said passage and to hold the balls therein in light switch closing position, an electro-magnetic device to move the gate to free the balls for progression through the passage, other normally open switches on the panel operable by balls to cause energization of the device to move the gate whereby to progress the balls over said light switches to the iinal light switch, a rotary switch in circuit with the final light switch and means to operate the rotary switch, and said rotary switch including a' series of contacts and score indicating lights included in the game, said iinal light switch serving to show a light in scoring position and at the same time operate the selector switch to tally the score on the score indicating lights. A

3. For a ball rolling game embodying a play board inclined from the horizontal and being formed with holes through which balls projected over the board may drop, a sloped panel below said board and carrying a normally open switch, a series of score indicating lights included in the game including circuits for the lights. an indicator control for the lights comprising a rotary selector switch having contacts respectively disposed in said circuits, a wire leading from the panel switch to the selector switch, an electromagnetic device including means to turn the selector switch step by step from an initial starting position over the contacts to progressively close the light circuits and turn on the lights, said device being operative when balls rolling on the under panel roll over and close the switch thereon, means operatively associated with the panel to guide balls falling thereunto from certain of the holes in the top board over the panel switch `to close the same, and operator controlled means for causing resetting of the selector switch by reversely moving it to its initial starting position.

NULTON N. TIGERMAN. 

